Thursday, September 16, 2010

TOP STORY > >Honoring 63 years of Air Force heritage

By Col. Mike Minihan
19th Airlift Wing commander

We mark our Air Force’s 63rd birthday on Saturday with a celebration at Hangar 1080. For those young and young at heart, this is an opportunity to celebrate our heritage, honor, and valor since our birth on Sept. 18, 1947.

It’s also a time to reflect on those who’ve come before us, and the accomplishments that ensure our role as the nation’s sword and shield. We fly wing with great Airmen like Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell, Gen. Curtis LeMay and Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Dick Red. All legendary Airmen in our Air Force. General Mitchell was recognized as the top American combat Airman of World War I and a tireless advocate of airpower. General LeMay was the Air Force’s fifth chief of staff and an organizer of the Berlin Airlift. Chief Red was the first enlisted person to receive the Legion of Merit, awarded for his efforts to modify aircraft to capture imagery in flight in North Africa during World War II. Chief Red worked right here on Little Rock AFB.

Most importantly, we celebrate you. You and your families are what make this Air Force great. You and your families are what make Team Little Rock the home of combat airlift. Right now...this very second ... Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in harm’s way and counting on us to do our job. We will never falter ... we will never fail. You are making history and it is an honor to serve with you.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for all you do!

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